SpaceX

Hawthorne, Calif.-based Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is a commercial company aiming to launch cargo, and eventually people, to low-Earth orbit. The firm is developing its Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 booster under contracts from NASA's Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program and its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.

Related Topics: Falcon Heavy, NASA, NASA Space Launch System, Orion Spacecraft

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The crewmembers of SpaceX's Crew-6 mission pose after arriving on the tarmac at Kennedy Space Center.

SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts arrive at NASA spaceport for Feb. 26 launch

By Brett Tingley published

The crewmembers of SpaceX's next astronaut mission to the International Space Station have arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for their upcoming Feb. 26 launch.

The SpaceX Dragon capsule Endeavour, which will fly the Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station, is seen here at Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SpaceX posted this photo on Twitter on Feb. 19, 2023.

SpaceX Dragon capsule arrives at launch site for Feb. 27 astronaut liftoff (photos)

By Mike Wall last updated

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Endeavour has made it to the Florida launch site ahead of a planned Feb. 27 liftoff on the Crew-6 mission for NASA.

sultan al-neyadi lying in a spacecraft with spacesuit visor open. in front, his blurry hand reaches for a switch

UAE astronaut on SpaceX Crew-6 mission will spend Ramadan in space

By Elizabeth Howell published

Fasting during the Islamic holy month is not required for travelers, but Sultan Al-Neyadi said he may try to do so after launching aboard a SpaceX spacecraft on Feb. 26.

four spacesuited astronauts sitting side by side in a spacecraft with visors up and seatbelts on

Meet the SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts launching to the International Space Station on Feb. 26

By Elizabeth Howell published

The first long-duration astronaut from the United Arab Emirates will be among four crew members flying to the International Space Station on Feb. 26.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 51 Starlink internet satellites launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Feb. 17, 2023.

SpaceX launches 51 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched 51 of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit on Friday (Feb. 17), acing the first of two orbital missions the company has planned for the day.

An illustration of a Launcher Orbiter SN1 after separating from a rocket's upper stage.

1st private Launcher space tug fails after launching on SpaceX rocket

By Brett Tingley published

Space launch startup Launcher said its first spacecraft, which launched on a SpaceX rocket last month, has failed.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the I-6 F2 satellite for British company Inmarsat from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Feb. 17, 2023. It was SpaceX's second launch in less than nine hours.

SpaceX aces 2nd mission in 9 hours, sending communications satellite to orbit

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched a big telecom satellite to orbit on Friday night (Feb. 17), acing its second orbital mission in less than nine hours.

three fighter jets tightly clustered together in flight with red clouds and a sunset sky behind

How the superfast flight of astronauts and fighter pilots changes their brains

By Elizabeth Howell published

Unlike 'Top Gun', real-life fighter pilots are careful thinkers in the air. Learning how their brains change could assist astronauts with critical mission decisions, a new study says.

Members of Axiom SpaceX's Ax-2 mission to the International Space Station, from left to right: Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi.

SpaceX to launch 1st Saudi woman to space on private Ax-2 mission

By Mike Wall published

A Saudi Arabian woman will reach space for the first time this spring on the private Ax-2 mission to the International Space Station, if all goes according to plan.

rocket in front of the moon

SpaceX Starlink launch grazes the moon in gorgeous photos

By Elizabeth Howell published

The moon almost photobombed the Sunday (Feb. 12) SpaceX Falcon 9 launch that took place with Starlink satellites on board.

A Falcon 9 rocket launches 55 of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Feb. 12, 2023.

SpaceX launches 55 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched its 10th mission of the year early Sunday (Feb. 12), sending 55 of its Starlink internet satellites skyward and landing the returning rocket on a ship at sea.

SpaceX's Booster 7 Starship first-stage prototype ignites 31 of its 33 Raptor engines during a static fire test on Feb. 9, 2023.

Relive SpaceX Starship's epic 31-engine burn with these photos

By Mike Wall published

Dramatic new photos highlight Thursday's (Feb. 9) landmark static fire test, in which SpaceX's Booster 7 Starship prototype ignited 31 of its 33 Raptor engines.

SpaceX's Booster 7 Super Heavy prototype ignites 31 of its 33 engines during a static fire test at the company's Starbase site on Feb. 9, 2023.

SpaceX's huge Starship booster conducts historic 31-engine burn (video)

By Mike Wall published

A Starship first-stage prototype known as Booster 7 ignited 31 of its 33 Raptor engines during a "static fire" test today (Feb. 9), far more than it ever had before.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 54 Starlink internet satellites to orbit on Sept. 18, 2022.

SpaceX worked to prevent Ukraine from using Starlink internet with drones: report

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX took measures to prevent Ukraine from using the company's Starlink internet service to control drones during its ongoing war with Russia, Reuters reported.

A seven-engine static fire test of SpaceX's Booster 7 vehicle, performed on Sept. 19, 2022.

SpaceX conducting epic 33-engine Starship test today: reports

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX aims to fire up all 33 Raptor engines on the first-stage booster of its Starship vehicle today (Feb. 9) for the first time ever, according to media reports.

cubesat satellite with solar panels extended beside the moon

Tiny NASA moon probe can't reach lunar orbit as planned

By Elizabeth Howell published

After launching with SpaceX in December 2022, Lunar Flashlight ran into trouble in deep space. Now the mission is eyeing a high-Earth orbit that will allow monthly moon flybys.

large full moon with a shadow in tower in front of it

SpaceX launch and more 'photobombed' by February's Full Snow Moon (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

Images from all around the world celebrated the 'micromoon' of February 2023, including pictures of monuments and a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch.

The Falcon Heavy rocket taking off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 6, 2018.

SpaceX's 1st Falcon Heavy rocket launched Elon Musk's Tesla into space 5 years ago

By Mike Wall published

Five years ago today (Feb. 6), SpaceX's brawny Falcon Heavy rocket left Earth for the first time ever, sending a car into orbit around the sun.

SpaceX's Starship covered in frost during a landmark fueling test on Jan. 23, 2023.

SpaceX eyeing March for 1st Starship orbital flight, Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX will try to launch its huge Starship rocket to Earth orbit for the first time next month, provided the vehicle passes its remaining tests, Elon Musk said.

four astronauts inside of a launch tower tunnel with views of the ocean behind them

SpaceX Crew-6 astronauts gear up for Feb. 26 launch to space station

By Elizabeth Howell published

Crew-6 will head to the International Space Station after its Feb. 26 launch, but three of its four crewmembers are preparing for the next generation of missions to the moon.